Diamond pattern metal window assembly



June 10, 1958 B, SMIRNQFF I 2,837,783

DIAMOND PATTERN METAL wmnovi ASSEMBLY Filed June 11, 1956 IN V EN TOR. BoR/s jM/lwoFF BY mun/m Az'ZvEzZEYs United States atent DIAMOND PATTERN METAL WINDOW ASSEMBLY This "invention relates to'a new and improved metal window construction and method of assembly of metal Windows. More" particularly the invention relates to metal window constructions inwhich muntin bars are an-j gularly disposed with relation to the window frame.

Such angular disposition is required in the construction of diagonal or diamond-shaped patterns of window lights. The external dimensions of metal windows are subject to wide variation depending upon the requirements of the installation of the windows. This variation occasions considerable difficulty in construction where diamond shaped window light patterns are employed. In addition, the dimensions of the diamond-shaped patterns are subject to considerable variation in design which increases the ditiiculty of fabrication whencompounded with varia-- tions in external dimensions of the frame. The present invention overcomes many of the difliculties of fabrication heretofore encountered.

Common window frames employ a Z-bar around the four sides. Muntin bars, which are essentially T-shaped in cross section, are diagonally disposed with relation to the'frame members. The juncture between the ends of the muntin bars and the frame members and the locations where one bar crossed another are sources of difficulty in fabrication. .Heretof-ore a. time-consuming and expensive fitting operation is required, each fitting operation being dependent upon the dimensions of the frame and the disposition of the diagonal muntin bars within the frame. been occasioned by the fact that at the ends of the muntin bar the flange is butted directly into the flange of the Z- shaped window frame member. This necessitates machining a special angle cut for each of a wide variety of variable conditions, inasmuch as the angle assumed by the members is extremely variable.

Accordingly, it is a principal object and advantage of the present invention to provide considerable variation in the permissible angle between the end of the muntin bar and the frame member to which it is joined and also a considerable variation in the angle between one muntin bar and the bar it crosses.

A further feature and advantage of the invention is the reduction in the cost of manufacture of window frames employing diamond-shaped lights.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings in which similar characters of reference represent corresponding parts in each of the several views.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view showing in solid lines one size window frame employing muntin bars disposed in a diamond-shaped pattern and showing in dotted lines a frame having different external dimensions likewise employing angularly disposed muntin bars;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of a muntin bar The fitting operation heretofore mentioned has "ice constructed in accordance with the present invention partly broken away:

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along line 4-4 of Fig.1;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along line 5- -5 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 3

1 1 showing a modified means of assembling the end of the muntin bar to the frame of the window.

A common type, of metal window frame employs frame members 11 which are Z-shaped in transverse section. plurality of muntin bars 12 are connected to the inwardly projecting flange 13 of the Z-shaped frame members 11.

The Z-shaped frame members 11 are rectangularly disposed along the sides 14, top 16 and bottom 17 of the frame. 2 The dimensions of sides 14, top 16 and bottom 17 are subject to wide variation depending upon the size of the window frame in which they are to be installed. In addition, the number of muntin bars 12 employed in each frame and the angles which such muntin bars assome with relation to the frame members are subject to wide modification, depending upon the design of the particular window.

Each muntin bar 12 comprises a top flange 21 and a depending web 22. In accordance with the present invention each end ofeach muntin bar 12 is formed with an inwardly extending narrowrectangular slot 23 formed in web 22 immediately below flange 21 and flange 21 is cut off shorter than web 22 so that an end 24 of web 22 projects beyond' thejend 26 of flange 21. In addition, flange 21 above slot '23 is bent in a short, obliquely disposed upwardly extending portion 27 and thence in an outwardly extending portion 28 parallel to but spaced outwardly relative to flange'21. The dimension whereby the outwardly extending portion 28 is offset upwardly with respect to flange 21 is equal to the thickness of flange 13 of Z-bar 11.

Accordingly, as shown particularly in Fig. 3, end 24 of web 22 abuts the web 31 of Z-bar 11 and a joint 25 is formed with outwardly extending portion 28 partially overlapping flange 13. By reason of the dimension whereby the outwardly extending portion is offset upwardly relative to flange 21, the undersides of flanges 13 and 21 are substantially co-planar. This construction supplies a proper surface by which the window light (not shown) is supported. It is apparent that the angle which the muntin bar 12 may assume relative to Z-bar 11 is subject to a wide variation within the limits of almost In lieu of weld 32 shown in Fig. 3, as shown in Fig. 6 one or more rivets 33 may be employed to fasten portion 28 to flange 13.

At the intersections 36 where one muntin bar 12 crosses another, one of bars 12 is formed with a bump 37. In fabricating the bar, at the crossover point an inwardly directed rectangular slot 38 is formed extending inwardly from the bottom edge of web 22 directed toward flange 21. The width of slot 38 is slightly greater than the thickness of web 22 of the crossing muntin bar 12. At the inner end of slot 38 a transverse elongated rectangular slot 39 is formed immediately under flange 21 and paralflange 21 immediately underlying hump 37 and is then welded in position by means of weld 42 which welds the webs 22 together. By reason of the dimension whereby hump 37 is offset the undersides of flanges 21 of the two crossing muntin bars 12 are substantially co-planar, thereby providing the proper surface by which the window lights (not shown) are supported.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims. f

' Iclaim: 1

1. In a window construction, a substan'tially Z-shaped frame member and a substantially T.-shaped muntin bar joined to said frame member; said frame member having a central web and an inwardly and an'outwardly projecting flange along opposite edges of said central web of said frame memberj said 'rnuntin bar having a central web and a top flange extending outwardly in opposite directions along the top edge of said central web of said muntin bar, the upper portion of said central web being formed with a slot extending inwardly from the end thereof of a width approximately equal to the thickness of said inwardly projecting flange of said frame member and of a length greater than the width of said inwardly projecting flange, said slot being formed along the upper edge of said web of said muntin bar immediately below said top flange, said top flange being bent obliquely upward in an oblique stretch adjacent the inner end of said slot and then in an upwardly offset stretch adjacent the end of said muntin bar parallel to the portion of said top flange remote from said slot, the amount of upward displacement of said offset stretch being approximately equal to the thickness of said inwardly projecting'flange, the outer end of said ofiset stretch being truncated whereby the outer end of said central web of said muntin bar projects beyond the outer end of said offset stretch; said olIset stretch overlapping a portion of said inwardly projecting flange and the end of said central web of said muntin bar abutting said central web of said frame member; and means securing said muntin bar and frame member in assembled position; said frame member and muntin bar being angularly shift'able relative to each other prior to application of said last-named means to accommodate difierent shapes of windows.

2'. In a window construction, a frame, a first and a second muntin bar attached at their opposite ends to said frame, said bars crossing; each bar being substantially T-shaped and comprising a central Web and a top flange extending outwardly in opposite directions along the top edge of said central web, said central web of said first bar being formed with a T-shaped slot having a crossarm and a transverse leg, the crossarm of saidslot being disposed along the uppcr edge of said web immediately below said top flange and the leg of said slot projecting outwardly to the lower edge of said web, said top flange being bent obliquely upwardly adjacent opposite ends of said crossarm of said slot in oblique stretches and beingofiset upwardly intermediate said oblique stretches in an upwardly offset stretch parallel to said top flange remote from said T-shaped slot, the length of said upwardly olfset stretch being substantially equal to the width of said top flange, the amount of upward displacement of said upwardly offset stretch being substantially equal to the thickness of said top flange; said second muntin bar passing through said slot in said first muntin bar, the underside of said top flange of said second muntin bar and the underside of said top flange of said first muntin bar remote from said upwardly ofiset stretch being substantially co-planar; and means securing said muntin bars in assembled position; said muntin bars being angularly shiftable relative to each other'prior to application of said last-named means to accommodate windows of difierent shapes.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

